Today's Manna

February 8, 2017

God is Still in Control

by Rabon Metcalf

Scripture Reading: Exodus 1-2

As we leave the book of Genesis and begin today’s reading in Exodus 1 & 2, we find the children of Israel in a new position among the Egyptians. Joseph, favored by his father and second only to Pharaoh in Egypt, was given the choice land of Goshen. Jacob’s people grew from a small company to where “the land was filled with them.” However, circumstances never stay the same. Rulers and positions change, which is not always a bad thing. God can use change to fulfill His promises and uphold His covenant, though it can be, from our perspective, inconvenient and uncomfortable.

This was certainly the case with the Israelites. A new pharaoh brought persecution and bondage. This pharaoh enslaved God’s people and even murdered their sons. Satan was using Pharaoh to try and thwart the “promise of a seed” which would obviously come through God’s chosen people.

Though these were not comfortable nor convenient times in the lives of the Hebrew people, God was still in control. God’s plan was still working and His covenant completely intact. When Pharaoh afflicts the people and puts them in bondage, God allows them to grow as a nation. When pharaoh orders the male children to be killed, God saves Moses and even allows him to be raised in Pharaoh’s household. When Moses sins by committing murder and runs away, it seems as though Satan is winning. However, God is still in control and “works all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God used the time Moses spent away to further prepare him for his calling, leading the exodus of his kin from Egypt.

Again, their circumstances were not “light” and the change that they had faced was hard (to say the least). It might have seemed as if God had forgotten them or as if Satan was winning. Looking back at their situation, however, we know that neither the Devil nor Pharaoh were ever in control. God was always in charge. The same can be said today and forever. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is still on the throne. We can rest assured that, even when we are facing change or hard times, Romans 8:28 still applies.